The
Tansu - The Japanese word for a joined wooden trunk. Originally, made
for the court of the Emperor and the Feudal lords, During the Edo period
this furniture style became widespread, and then common during the Meiji
and Taisho periods. Now Tansu is has become very popular for today's home,
because of the simple, natural elements that this Japanese furniture style
exhibits.

Tansu were designed to easily transport possessions into storage, in
a barn or attic, for seasonal access of kimonos. Softwoods were often
used in the construction to keep the tansu light weight. Tansu mobility
allowed the owners to relocate their possessions in an expedient manner
if needed. Fire was a constant threat to the people of Japan who lived
very close together in homes made of paper and wood, with fire as light
and warmth. To add to the fire (please excuse the pun) fires frequently
occurred due to the large number of earthquakes on the Pacific Rim, which
could quickly wipe out an entire town. Japanese
furniture merchants also used tansu for their many ledgers and books.
The many compartments that the tansu design creates, and that they could
be moved quickly and easily made this design an ideal choice.

The basic hand tools used by tansu woodworkers today are the same as
those used for hundreds of years. These tools are well designed and beautifully
constructed. Both the saw and hand plane cut on the pull stroke, which
gives the woodworker greater control. Creation of these tools is considered
an art in itself. The woodworkers got the benefit of a law which halted
the creation of the Samurai swords, shifting the metal smiths work from
the katana to the tansu hardware and tools. The finest woodworking tools
from Japan are made of high-carbon steel. Japanese furniture woodworkers
have a strong connection to the hand tools they use on a daily basis for
decades.

There are a variety of more common tansu styles. The kaidan
tansu, recognizable from its stair step design. The karuma
tansu, or wheeled tansu. The sea tansu
- originating because most of Japan's trade was done by sea.